The launch of the Global Fight League (GFL) appears to be all but over.
The team-based MMA promotion has officially canceled its debut series of events, California State Athletic Commission executive director Andy Foster confirmed to Uncrowned‘s Ariel Helwani on Wednesday. The cancellation was also verified by multiple additional sources.
GFL had set its sights on an ambitious opening, planning a two-day, 31-fight schedule for May 24–25 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.
The events were expected to feature 42 UFC veterans and nine former UFC or Bellator champions—including interim titleholders—but those high-profile plans have now collapsed.
GFL founder Darren Owen told Uncrowned on Wednesday that “my main investor didn’t fulfill his April obligation,” a setback that ultimately caused the event cancelations. Despite the disruption, Owen expressed optimism, saying he believes the promotion “will be able work through it,” though he added that he doesn’t foresee the events taking place in California—”but we absolutely will keep pushing forward.” He shared that new target dates of June 15–16 are now under discussion.
Among the standout matchups previously announced for the two event cards were a trilogy fight between former UFC champion Renan Barāo and UFC Hall of Famer Urijah Faber, a renewed clash between former WEC and UFC champions Benson Henderson and Anthony Pettis, a bout between ex-UFC champ Holly Holm and former Bellator champion Julia Budd, and a showdown between Dillon Danis and UFC veteran Tony Ferguson.
GFL first garnered attention this past December with the reveal of its ambitious plans after three years of groundwork and a rebranding from the World Fight League. Owen told Uncrowned at that time that GFL planned to implement a team-based format and seasonal structure, including 15 scheduled events through August 2025, two playoff events in September, and a season finale in November.
Fighter contracts under GFL were designed to offer a 50/50 revenue share, retirement benefits, and other incentives. Several athletes also highlighted the promotion’s generous purses in public comments.
In January, GFL held its first draft, establishing six international teams composed of 120 fighters. At that time, Owen told Uncrowned he was confident in securing a broadcast deal before April and noted that GFL aimed to “fill the NFL void,” offering a mix of pay-per-view and free-to-watch events, with the potential for multiple cards on select weekends.
